North GA sheriff arrested on public indecency, sexual battery charges

A North Georgia sheriff has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and indecent exposure.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols last week. On Friday he surrendered.

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Rabun County Jail records show Nichols faces charges of public indecency, sexual assault and violation of oath by a public official.

“The Rabun County Sheriff's Office has no comment on the active and ongoing investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation,” said Kevin Angell, public information officer for the Rabun County Sheriff's Office. Rabun County. Channel 2 Action News.

“We’re getting there. This is new territory, so we’re doing the best we can,” said Maj. Beth Darnell with the Rabon County Sheriff’s Office. Channel 2's Audrey Washington.

The GBI has not released any information about the victims. This matter remains under investigation.

Nichols was booked into the Rabun County Detention Center by his own deputies.

In a statement, the sheriff's office wrote in part:

“With the arrest of Sheriff Chad Nichols by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the coincident conditions of his bond, which state “that he will not be involved in any law enforcement activities in his capacity as sheriff,” the Rabun County Sheriff's Office will rely on Maj. Beth Darnell as “acting manager.”

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“We are handling this as usual. We have a great support team in Rabun County,” said Major Darnell.

Neither the GBI nor the Rabun County Sheriff's Office would provide further details about the sexual assault allegations, but Maj. Darnell said she is concerned about her team, whom she considers family .

“We have a lot of people praying for us and we support each other as a team. We reunite. We offer advice,” explained Major Darnell.

The GBI says once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney.

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